Celtics’ turnovers costly in 85-78 loss to Wizards

Boston had 21 turnovers and has lost two of its last three games.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — When the turnover count hit 20, the Boston Celtics were in trouble. Now, that team that had been routing the NBA has lost two out of three.

The Washington Wizards, overcoming a sloppy night of their own, rallied from a seven-point, fourth-quarter deficit and closed the game with a 15-4 run Saturday night for an 85-78 victory over the Celtics

Both teams showed the aftereffects of tough games the night before. Boston finished with 21 turnovers and had its lowest point total of the year. The Wizards had 20 turnovers and made only 2 of 18 3-pointers, but they outrebounded the Celtics 49-30, made 27 of 30 free throws and had the fortitude when it mattered — in the fourth quarter.

The momentum turned when Antonio Daniels made a 3-pointer with 1:51 remaining to give the Wizards a 75-74 lead, and Brendan Haywood forced a turnover at the other end by getting his hands in the way of a bad pass by Kevin Garnett. DeShawn Stevenson took advantage by drawing a foul while attempting a 3-pointer as the shot clock was about to expire — and making all three free throws.

Stevenson led the Wizards with 19 points. Caron Butler had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Antawn Jamison survived a 4-for-15 shooting night to score 10 points while grabbing 16 rebounds.

Garnett scored 19 points to lead the Celtics, who played without point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo hurt his back during Friday’s win at New Jersey.

Pistons 103, Bobcats 100, OT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Richard Hamilton hit the go-ahead jumper and two clinching free throws in the final 17 seconds, and the Detroit Pistons overcame a valiant effort from undermanned Charlotte .

Hamilton, who scored 26 points, hit a baseline jumper with 16.2 seconds left to put Detroit ahead 101-100. After Emeka Okafor was called for basket interference at the other end, Hamilton hit two free throws with 0.2 seconds left to seal the Pistons’ second straight win.

Chauncey Billups scored 27 points and Tayshaun Prince added 22 for the Pistons, who nearly become the second power Charlotte has knocked off this week — despite the Bobcats being without a point guard.

One night after losing in double-overtime to Cleveland, the Bobcats dressed only eight players and were without Raymond Felton (ankle) and Jeff McInnis (thigh) and the emergency point guard, Derek Anderson (knee).

Predictably, the Bobcats fell behind 31-17 in the first quarter, only to stage a remarkable comeback with a patchwork lineup and a zone defense that frustrated the Pistons.